Monday, April 27, 2009

Clgfive - New Joystick Project

I took apart NheXT last night, and started to add motors to my video-game style controller (see previous posts), when I encountered a problem. The motor was too hard to turn with those little joysticks, so I am stepping it up. Below you will a picture of the new joystick handle I build, which will work in the same way a classic video-game joystick would work. It is basically a long rectangular prism with a touch sensor on the top and the cord running down the interior. Now all I have to do is build the mechanism that reads its motion and its all done! Tommorow I will post I detailed plan of the process I will go through with this project. Stay tuned!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Clgfive - Final Decision

My decision is final- I am going to disassemble NheXT and work on a new project for a while. Don't worry; I will be returning to the project sometime soon, but I've just been aggravated lately staring at the robot and saying to myself "There is nothing I can do to it." Now that I have diagnosed the situation and know what will need to be done to it in the future, I feel confident in taking it apart and starting a new project, probably one involving my RC Controller I built (see previous posts). In the meantime, I will continue to give updates and post the usual stuff. One final memorial service to this robot:

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Bryce - Treadbot News

Hey Guys,
I have just finished recording over 40 minutes of video! All of my Treadbot! The video will be long, but that's alright, in other news, I've taken apart the Bot, and I'm now working on Another Ballbot. Coming soon! I have video and images of the Gearbot at school, and will post them tomorrow, until then, keep building!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Bryce - Gearbot and Treadbot News

Hey Guys,
So sorry for not posting, I've been on vacation for the past week. And, yes CLGfive, you are correct! I am working on my third build of Gearbot, and its coming along great. It's going to take a while more, maybe a few weeks to complete. I am going to take apart my Treadbot, but only after taking another, better video of it doing multiple task. After that I am going to work on another Ballbot, a better one (of course).

Monday, April 20, 2009

Bryce - Gearbot 2.0 Preview

Hey guys- and guess what? This is Clgfive! Yes, I know I am posting a Bryce post, but I can explain. So, today I had some extra time to kill so I popped by FLL for like 45 minutes and just sort of ate some popcorn and checked out what everyone was doing. While there, I noticed Bryce working on his Gearbot 2.0 which I can assure you will be way better than 1.0. Sadly, I didn't get a picture (maybe Bryce can do that), but I did learn a little about it. For one, apparently it is his third try at the build. Also, he told me that he has changed the gearing for a more stable and reliable build. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

News - New HiTechnic Site Design

For those of you who haven't been to NXTasium lately, HiTechnic has completely redesigned it's site. Now it looks much more proffesional over the old, basic, amateur looking site.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Other - Post Through EMail!

Hey everyone! Guess what- I just did this post through email! And, well, that’s pretty much it…

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Clgfive - NhexT Legs

NhexT, my RHex simulator, is a tricky build. You see, the combonation of a massive dead load and legs that only cover one side of the motor don't mix- actually the legs kick out and it can't even stand up. So now I am in a dilema: start from scratch, move on to another build, or figure out a way to fix this thing. And I want your help. Post a comment below saying what I should do, and remember that open comments means that anyone can vote. I want to make up my mind some time this week, so post sooner rather than later!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Other People - 350 Climate Connections FLL Run

Hey, all! I've always loved to watch other teams FLL runs, and I am seriously looking forward to posting my own on YouTube once the new season starts. Here is a cool video of a round getting 350 points! If you have a YouTube video displaying an FLL round of yours, post a link to it below, and if you want I can feature your video in a post!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Clgfive - Video Game Style RC

Today I come to you with a little something I built yesterday- it's a base model for my remote control er I am building with my second NXT. Sadly, I can't do much more with it right now than what I have already done, only because the motors and NXT brick I need are being used for NhexT (see prior posts). By the way, sorry it is taking so long, I have figured out the communications but the legs and motor situation is still bothering me. Anyway, you can look at the picture below. It works by transferring the rotation of the two single directional joy-sticks. The sensor you see is a touch sensor that will activate an action I set it to. For now, here is a picture:

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Other - Results Are In!

The results are in on our organization poll! Check out the sidebar for results, and post a comment about what you think!

Other People - Easter Egg NXT

Hey Guys
While looking on the NXT Step, I stumbled across this. An Easter egg colorer. It actually paints your Easter eggs! Really cool, check it out! Here's building instructions, a video, and more pictures.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Opinion - Super NXT?

Hey all. Sorry I haven't been posting lately, I get pretty busy in the spring! Anyway, today I am coming to you with another one of those ask the audience posts. I've heard alot of talk about this Super NXT, especially over at The NXT Step (see sidebar)and I've been wondering; what is it? If anyone out there has any info let me know, and if you have decoded the clues at the NXT Step please leave a comment below!

Bryce - Gearbot 1

Hey Guys,
I have recently been wanting to get better at gearing. I decided to make a gearbot! It works, kindof. I am currently working on build 2.0 Coming in about 1 week.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Bryce - Gearbot

Hey Guys,
I have been working on something new (again)... a Gearbot! It has many gears, (for me) and it uses one motor to go foreword, and one more to turn. Just a fun build, and its helping me get used to gearing. Here's a pic:
P.S. I haven't added the Brick yet.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Bryce - Friction and Non-Friction Pins

Hey Guys,
I have always wondered, why do some of the pins have little lines on them? I soon found out that they are Friction pins. I know what friction is, but how does it affect a pin? Does it make it easier to put in or take out? Or does it fall out more easily? Post a comment if you have an answer.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Bryce - More New Legos!

Hey Guys,
While looking around in my closet, I found this: A Lego Racers: Jumping Giant. Luckily, it's mostly Technic pieces! So now I can build bigger robots! Here's a picture.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Other People - Scanner

These scanners never cease to amaze me!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Other People - Another Tank

Here's just a neat tank I found on YouTube:

Bryce - Tread Bot Demonstration

Hey Guys,
Here's a video of my destructive Tread-Bot!
Be Sure to vote on our pieces survey!